diff --git a/src/msw/tbar95.cpp b/src/msw/tbar95.cpp
index ec04b3525d..249e4b09ff 100644
--- a/src/msw/tbar95.cpp
+++ b/src/msw/tbar95.cpp
@@ -265,15 +265,6 @@ bool wxToolBar::MSWCreateToolbar(const wxPoint& pos, const wxSize& size)
     // toolbar-specific post initialisation
     ::SendMessage(GetHwnd(), TB_BUTTONSTRUCTSIZE, sizeof(TBBUTTON), 0);
 
-    // The toolbar background for some colour schemes cannot be determined
-    // (for example Silver). So set an explicit background colour to avoid parts of
-    // the background being painted wrongly.
-
-    int majorVersion, minorVersion;
-    wxGetOsVersion(& majorVersion, & minorVersion);
-    if (majorVersion < 6)
-        SetBackgroundColour(GetBackgroundColour());
-
     return true;
 }
 
@@ -959,6 +950,8 @@ bool wxToolBar::Realize()
     // Deal with the controls finally
     // ------------------------------
 
+    bool hasControls = false;
+
     // adjust the controls size to fit nicely in the toolbar
     int y = 0;
     size_t index = 0;
@@ -990,6 +983,8 @@ bool wxToolBar::Realize()
             continue;
         }
 
+        hasControls = true;
+
         wxControl *control = tool->GetControl();
         wxSize size = control->GetSize();
 
@@ -1099,6 +1094,13 @@ bool wxToolBar::Realize()
     InvalidateBestSize();
     UpdateSize();
 
+    // Fix a bug on e.g. the Silver theme on WinXP where control backgrounds
+    // are incorrectly drawn, by forcing the background to a specific colour.
+    int majorVersion, minorVersion;
+    wxGetOsVersion(& majorVersion, & minorVersion);
+    if (majorVersion < 6 && hasControls && !!UseBgCol())
+        SetBackgroundColour(GetBackgroundColour());
+
     return true;
 }